Blog

Hawaii Group 4 hit the ground running completing their first conservation project of the program! (Photo Credit: Hawai'i Wildlife Fund)  Working alongside Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, our students hiked 3 miles of coast line removing a total of 275lbs of marine debris! Since 2003 HWF has removed over 293.3 tons of marine debris off the shores of Hawai'i Island - thanks to volunteers and supporters like our students! (Photo Credit: Hawai'i Wildlife Fund) "With their positive a… Read more

Let's catch up with one of our students Maggie, after a couple weeks on the road!   "We began our journey in Boulder, CO, where we became familiarized with each other and went through a fun and very educational orientation led by our knowledgeable leaders, Nathan and Amelia. Our time in Boulder allowed all of us students to set the foundation for the trip, lay out our personal and group goals, and develop a set of rules in which we all should follow throughout the dura… Read more

Our Hawaii Semester Programs are officially underway for Fall 2020! We caught up with Group A program instructors Pete and Gabby to give us an update on their first week out of quarantine....    "After receiving free-to-go calls from the State of Hawaii quarantine police, we spent our first day learning about ocean safety and Hawaiian culture from a few guest speakers from Hilo, then spent the afternoon at a couple of beaches only a short walk away (Keaukaha and Onekah… Read more

Our Program Instructors are inspiring people, who share a deep respect for the people and cultures, a fascination with local history, and an in-depth understanding of contemporary issues and politics. They are people in whom you can trust, who remain objective and supportive even in challenging circumstances, and who take a genuine interest in your well-being and safety. Basically they're a bunch of epic humans! So without further adieu, it's time to meet your instruct… Read more

With all the uncertainty that’s facing us today, It’s hard to know which decision will be the right one. Now more than ever is the perfect time to consider alternative options outside of the linear path of education...because let's face it Fall 2020 isn’t going to be how we planned it.  So why not take a Gap Year? It’s an extremely rewarding option AND an option that you will never regret!   If you’re not convinced, here’s six reasons why... 1. Broaden Your Education … Read more

2020 has been a whirlwind of unexpected challenges, disrupted future plans and the overwhelming presence of the unknown. Are you stuck at a crossroads, not sure which path to take? Is your first option not looking as appealing or exciting as it once did? We caught up with one of our program instructors, Liz Lucus, to discuss how to navigate this unique situation we find ourselves in.  Liz, originally from Colorado, found herself in lock down here in Queenstown when the … Read more

The Fall Semester is coming up fast and we know many students’ plans are still undecided for the upcoming academic year. COVID-19 has changed the landscape completely for studying, with many unsure they want to head to their College campuses if socialising and lectures will be limited, and other students feeling like online study costs are too expensive and are looking to defer and take a year off.  Looking after yourself has never been more important, and a chance to h… Read more

NZA Group A is on the move, Liz, one of our instructors fills us in:  We said goodbye to the quiet of the Crossing and moved straight into the busy city of Sydney. On the first full day of Sydney, the group split into two. Half went to Newtown and the other went to the beach and did a little sun bathing and swimming at the coast of Australia. Newtown was a quirky, artsy part of the city. There were outside markets where you could get food, clothing, and lots of little t… Read more

Lauren and Wes get their hands dirty at The Crossing, working hard on sustainability and landcare projects. Check out their video blog to see what they're up to!     If you want to learn more about the New Zealand and Australia Semester Program, you can read more here. Read more

One of our students, Christina, fills us in about Coral Conservation in Cozumel:  After an awesome week of working towards our PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification, we put our new diving skills to use in an effort to help the dying coral reefs of Cozumel. Our day would begin in the classroom with a passionate lecture from our instructor German, starting with what coral is. Coral is a collection of live animal polyps that form together to create the coral. These b… Read more